Watermelon Pickles

2 lbs watermelon rind.... 1 TBSP broken stick cinnamon
1/4 c pickling salt.... 11/2 TSP whole cloves
4 c water.... 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
2 c sugar.... 5 marachino cherries, halved(optional)
1 c pickling vinegar

Trim the dark green and pink parts from watermelon rind. Cut rind into 1-inch cubes; measure 7 cups. Soak rind overnight in a solution of pickling salt and water. If it takes more to cover, use same proportion of salt/water. Drai; rinse rind. Cover rind with cold water. Cook until tender.

Meanwhile, in 6 to 8 QT. kettle or dutch oven combine sugar,vinegar,cinnamon, cloves, and 1 cup water. Simmer mixture for 10 minutes, strain. Add drained watermelon rind,lemon slices, and cherries, if desired. Simmer the mixture till the watermelon rind is clear. Fill hot jars with rind syrup mixture, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Adjust lids.

Process jars in boiling water bath(pints) 5 minutes. Makes 21/2 pints.

Ron